In situ strength measurement of shock-compressed iron via time-resolved X-ray diffraction

Determining the high pressure and temperature behavior of iron (Fe) provides valuable insight into the evolution and dynamics of the Earth's core. Shock compression can achieve extreme pressure and temperature conditions simultaneously, but the nanosecond process presents a challenge for in situ measurements of the shocked material's lattice properties. We shock-compressed polycrystalline and oriented single crystal Fe at the Matter in Extreme Conditions endstation at the Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and performed in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements with sub-picosecond time resolution. Preliminary results reveal that the transformed hcp phase of shock compressed single crystal Fe oriented along the (100) direction yield a c/a ratio that is 4% greater than shock compressed polycrystalline Fe. Additionally, we determine the strength of shock compressed polycrystalline and single crystal Fe up to 200 GPa and 3000 K.